Officials in Newark announced today that residents will soon be able to access the internet at home at discounted rates, and that nearly 2,000 students will receive free internet access. This is due to a partnership between the city and JerseyOn, an Oradell-based non-profit which works with internet providers to give internet access to low income New Jersey residents.
"This is an exciting time for the City of Newark" said Reverend David Jefferson, Jr. of the My Brother's Keeper Initiative at a press conference at Newark's Career Training Center on Broad Street.
"Hundreds of thousands of people across our state are living in an unconnected world", said JerseyOn chairman Josh Gottheimer. "We believe that internet connectivity is critical to young men and women if they want to have the tools to succeed in school and after they graduate", he added.
According to Gottheimer, mobile hotspot internet devices will be available for purchase by city residents for $40. 1,700 of these devices will be distributed for free to students in the Newark Public Schools at the Youth One Stop center at 500 Broad Street. In addition, 100 students who participate in the My Brother’s Keeper initiative will receive free internet access for one year. This internet access will also be available to the public for $10 per month. Laptops and modems can also be purchased.
"We want to get to a point in this city that we are able to offer high speed (internet) services faster than any other city in the country", said Mayor Ras Baraka.
The hotspot devices will be funded by P3 Global Management.
Click here to learn more.
Above and Below: Josh Gottheimer of JerseyOn shows the devices that will be distributed to select Newark students for free, and to Newark residents at a low cost.
Above: Mayor Ras Baraka addresses press conference attendees.
Send story ideas, letters to the editor, and photos to placenjwebsites@gmail.com.
Follow us on Twitter - @PlaceNJ
Like us on Facebook - Essex County Place